A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 days postoperative following open heart surgery and will be transferred to the medical-surgical unit. Which of the following information should the nurse plan to include in the verbal report?

Choice A rationale:

Reporting the findings to the hospital ethics committee is not the appropriate action in this scenario. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a clinical issue related to patient care and safety, not an ethical concern. The hospital ethics committee is generally responsible for addressing ethical dilemmas and conflicts.

Choice B rationale:

Alerting central supply is not the correct action in this situation. Central supply typically handles the procurement and distribution of medical supplies, equipment, and materials. While maintaining proper equipment and supplies is important, addressing VAP requires a focus on infection prevention and patient care practices.

Choice C rationale:

Filling out an incident report is not the best course of action for addressing an increase in ventilator-associated pneumonia. Incident reports are typically used to document unexpected events, accidents, or errors that occur in the healthcare setting. However, addressing the rise in VAP involves implementing measures to prevent and control infections, which falls under the purview of the quality improvement team.

Choice D rationale:

The correct action is to notify the quality improvement team. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a healthcare-associated infection that can lead to serious complications for patients on ventilators. The quality improvement team is responsible for monitoring and improving the quality of patient care, including infection prevention and control. By notifying the quality improvement team, the nurse manager can initiate a comprehensive review of current practices, identify potential areas for improvement, and implement evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence of VAP.

Choice A rationale:

The age of the client might influence the care plan and potential complications, but it's not the primary factor for evaluating cost effectiveness. Cost efficiency is more directly related to the resources utilized during the client's stay.

Choice B rationale:

The availability of community support groups contributes to the client's psychosocial well-being and support network, but it doesn't directly assist in evaluating the cost effectiveness of care. This factor focuses more on the quality of life after discharge.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct choice. The length of the client's stay directly impacts the cost of care. A longer stay involves more resources, medications, and services, leading to increased costs. Evaluating and optimizing the length of stay is a critical aspect of cost-effective care.

Choice D rationale:

The type of insurance the client carries affects their financial responsibility for the care received, but it's not the main consideration for evaluating cost effectiveness. It primarily influences the patient's out-of-pocket expenses rather than the overall cost of care.